Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Reasons, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Are you experiencing persistent dryness in your mouth? 

If so, then it's time to pay attention! Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, is not just an uncomfortable sensation but can also lead to serious oral health issues. ​

From medications to dehydration and even certain lifestyle habits – there are numerous reasons behind this condition. 

In this blog post, we will explore the various causes of xerostomia and how you can combat it effectively.

What is Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)?

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs when you do not produce enough saliva (spit). Saliva is necessary for good oral health. 

Tooth decay can be caused by a lack of saliva. Dry mouth symptoms include pain, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing. Steps to stimulate saliva production are part of the treatment for dry mouth.

Reasons for Dry Mouth

There are many potential reasons for dry mouth, which can make it a difficult condition to identify and treat.

Here are some of the most common reasons for dry mouth:

When the salivary glands generate less saliva, this results in dry mouth. The following are the most common causes of dry mouth:

1. Medications:

• Radiation therapy, particularly for cancers of the head and neck.
• Hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs can impair your body's saliva production. If you read the label on your prescription, you might notice "dry mouth" listed as a side effect.

2. Dehydration:

• Dehydration occurs when your body does not have enough water. For example, if you are unwell, do not drink enough water, or sweat excessively, you may become dehydrated.

3. Mouth Breathing: 

• If you have a stuffy nose (nasal congestion), you may breathe through your mouth at night.

4. Medical Problems: 

• Diabetes, Alzheimer's illness, stroke, and Sjogren's syndrome can all cause dry mouth. 
• Sjogren's syndrome (SHOW-grins) is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the moisture-producing glands. It typically affects women who have gone through menopause.
  

Diagnosis and Tests for Xerostomia

• Medical History: Diagnosis begins with a detailed review of your habits, medical history, and medication use.
• Clinical Examination: A thorough clinical examination follows, where a common sign is the mouth mirror sticking to the inner membrane.
• Salivary Flow Rates: Both stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow rates may be measured to assess hyposalivation severity.
• Sialography: If there’s a suspected issue with your salivary glands or ducts, your doctor might perform a sialography. This involves an X-ray after injecting a radio-opaque dye into the affected salivary gland duct.
• Additional Tests: Blood tests, random blood sugar testing, urinalysis, and other imaging techniques may be employed as needed.
• Treatment: Treatment varies depending on the cause. For medication-induced xerostomia, altering medications may help. Sjogren's syndrome may require medications to boost saliva production. Other treatments include artificial saliva substitutes, saliva-stimulating gum or lozenges, and maintaining good oral hygiene.

Consequences of Ignoring Your Xerostomia

When you have xerostomia, it means your mouth is abnormally dry. 

This can lead to several consequences if ignored, including:

• Difficulty speaking and swallowing
• Increased risk of cavities and gum disease​
• Bad breath
• A change in taste
• Cracked lips
• Discomfort while eating

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to see your dentist or doctor to find out the underlying cause.

Xerostomia can be a side effect of certain medications, a symptom of an underlying medical condition, or simply a result of dehydration. 

There are treatments available to help relieve the symptoms of xerostomia, so don't ignore this problem.

Treatments for Xerostomia

1. Discontinue any Drugs that Cause Dry Mouth. 

If your doctor suspects that medicine is to blame, he or she may alter your dosage or switch you to a different medication that does not cause dry mouth.

2. Make Recommendations for Mouth Moisturisers.

These can include prescription or over-the-counter mouth rinses, artificial saliva, or mouth moisturisers. 

Mouthwashes developed for dry mouth, particularly those containing xylitol, can be effective, such as Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse or Act Dry Mouth Mouthwash, which also provide tooth decay protection.

3. Prescribe a Saliva-Stimulating Drug. 

To boost saliva production, your doctor may prescribe pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac).

4. Keep your Teeth Safe. 

Your dentist may fit you with fluoride trays, which you fill with fluoride and wear over your teeth at night to prevent cavities. To control cavities, your dentist may also prescribe using a chlorhexidine rinse once a week.

Tips on Managing Xerostomia at Home

Stay Hydrated: Drink water or sugar-free beverages throughout the day to keep your mouth moist, and sip water during meals to aid chewing and swallowing.

Use Sugar-Free Products: Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candies, especially those with xylitol, to stimulate saliva and help prevent cavities. Be mindful that high amounts of xylitol can cause digestive discomfort.

Try Saliva Substitutes: Use xylitol-containing products like Mouth Kote or saliva substitutes like Biotene OralBalance Moisturizing Gel to keep your mouth moist.

Breathe Through Your Nose: Breathing through your mouth can worsen dry mouth, so focus on nasal breathing. Use a room humidifier at night to add moisture to the air.

Protect Your Lips: Apply lip balm to soothe dry or cracked lips.

Avoid Irritants:

Caffeine and Alcohol: These can dry out and irritate your mouth. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwash as well.

Tobacco: Quit smoking or chewing tobacco, as it worsens dryness and irritation.

OTC Medications: Antihistamines and decongestants can aggravate dry mouth.

Sugary and Acidic Foods: These increase the risk of cavities. Avoid hot, salty, or spicy foods that may irritate your mouth.

Conclusion

A dry mouth can be uncomfortable and detrimental to your oral health, but understanding the reasons behind it can help you take control of your xerostomia symptoms. 

The best way to manage dry mouth is to stay hydrated and identify any underlying conditions that may be causing it. 

If the problem persists, contact your dentist for a professional assessment so they can provide tailored solutions for restoring the health and comfort of your mouth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the reasons for dry mouth?

There are several reasons why someone may experience dry mouth, including dehydration, certain medications, medical conditions such as diabetes and Sjogren's syndrome, radiation therapy, nerve damage, and tobacco or alcohol use.

How to prevent dry mouth while sleeping?

To prevent dry mouth while sleeping, try drinking water before bed and using a humidifier in the bedroom. 

You can also try sleeping on your side instead of your back to prevent saliva from pooling at the back of the mouth.

How to prevent a dry mouth when speaking?

To prevent dry mouth when speaking, try sipping water frequently, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy to stimulate saliva production.

Why is my mouth getting dry?

There are many reasons why your mouth may be getting dry, including dehydration, medication side effects, medical conditions, and nerve damage. 

It's important to identify the underlying cause to determine the best treatment approach.

How to treat dry mouth?

The treatment for dry mouth depends on the underlying cause. 

Drinking plenty of water, using saliva substitutes, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and treating underlying medical conditions can all help alleviate symptoms of dry mouth. 

In some cases, medications may also be prescribed to increase saliva production.

Do allergies cause dry mouth?

Yes, allergies can cause dry mouth. Certain allergy medications, such as antihistamines, can have drying effects on the mouth and other mucous membranes.

Does high BP cause dry mouth?

High blood pressure (hypertension) itself is not a known cause of dry mouth. 

However, medications used to treat high blood pressure, such as diuretics, can cause dry mouth as a side effect.

Does omeprazole cause dry mouth?

Yes, omeprazole, which is used to treat acid reflux and stomach ulcers, can cause dry mouth as a side effect.

Does ranitidine cause dry mouth?

Yes, ranitidine, which is used to treat acid reflux and stomach ulcers, can cause dry mouth as a side effect.

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